New cSpace opens at historic Eau Claire and Bow River Lumber Co. building
The City of Calgary and cSpace have teamed up to open a neighbourhood hub at the historic Eau Claire and Bow River Lumber Co. building through summer 2024.
The cSPACE Eau Claire Neighbourhood Hub launched Thursday, and will host "arts, culture and under-served community groups without space to gather, and for creative happenings to occur."
Dennis Hoffart, Eau Claire area improvements program manager, said it was clear the space would be well-suited to support downtown communities and neighbourhoods.
While the short-term occupation offers something to locals, it's also good for the building, which is in the middle of some big changes.
The building was relocated temporarily as part of the city's Eau Claire Plaza redesign project.
"We knew that the Eau Claire and Bow River Lumber Co. building would need to be relocated to accommodate grade changes to (Eau Claire) Plaza, meeting our flood resiliency requirements, creating an interesting challenge for our team. Occupying this historic building protects it from deteriorating while its new home is being prepared," Hoffart said.
While serving this purpose, the building has been fitted with access ramps, an outside deck and new lighting.
Deeter Schurig, cSPACE Projects president and CEO, says the hub "will activate the vacant historic asset and enliven this area of downtown for Calgarians to enjoy."
Thursday's launch was the sort of thing Thom Mahler, the city's director of downtown strategy, is keen to see more of.
"This project exemplifies the kinds of initiatives we will need to take to reinvent our downtown (such as) leveraging our historic resources, adapting to a changing climate and offering and supporting inclusive places for Calgarians to express themselves and to gather and create strong communities for the future," Mahler said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING NDP motion regarding Palestinian statehood passes after major Liberal alterations
A motion from the federal New Democrats initially calling on Canada to recognize the 'State of Palestine' passed amid widespread acrimony on Monday, after the Liberals drastically altered its wording to see the government simply work towards that aim as part of a two-state solution.
'He didn't want to die': Family of Calgary man killed in standoff speaks out
Family of a Calgary man killed after a 30-hour standoff with police last week are speaking out, sharing details of the tense and heart-wrenching experience.
Toronto family doctor who called patient's body 'perfect' suspended for 3 months: tribunal
A family doctor in Toronto has been suspended for three months after a disciplinary tribunal found that he failed to follow proper protocols while examining a patient's breasts and made inappropriate comments about her body.
Ohio mom who left toddler alone 10 days when she went on vacation pleads guilty to aggravated murder
An Ohio mother whose 16-month-old daughter died after being left home alone in a playpen for 10 days last summer while she went on vacation was sentenced Monday to life in prison with no chance of parole.
Retired teacher pleads guilty to paying for sex with 15-year-old in Collingwood, Ont.
In a Barrie courtroom on Monday, a retired high school teacher from the Niagara Region pleaded guilty to sexual touching and obtaining sexual services from a 15-year-old boy in Collingwood in 2021.
Hertz CEO out following electric car 'horror show'
The company, which announced in January it was selling 20,000 of the electric vehicles in its fleet, or about a third of the EVs it owned, is now replacing the CEO who helped build up that fleet, giving it the company’s fifth boss in just four years.
5 charged in Calgary kidnappings that targeted women
Calgary police have charged five men in a pair of kidnappings last year that targeted innocent victims.
Demand soars for solar eclipse glasses in Canada. Are they worth buying?
The demand for total solar eclipse glasses used to safely view the rare celestial event has been ramping up as sellers, along with astronomy and eye-care experts in Canada, warn that viewing the eclipse with the naked eye is dangerous.
Canadian commander of volunteer fighter group dies in Ukraine
A Canadian-born commander of the so-called Norman Brigade, a volunteer fighting group in Ukraine, has died.